1 ISSN: 2546-1524 JAN–JUN 2017 A biannual publication of the Foreign Service Institute, Philippines, Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies (CIRSS) INSIDE THIS ISSUE What the ASEAN Chairmanship Means for the Philippines and the Filipinos PAGE 6 Explaining US and China’s Views on Freedom of Navigation PAGE 10 Parsing Abe’s Official Visit: Change or Continuity in Philippines-Japan Relations under the Duterte Administration? PAGE 16 CONTENTS On the Horizon EDITORIAL TEAM ASEAN Project Directors Claro S. Cristobal 3 What the ASEAN Chairmanship Means Julio S. Amador III for the Philippines and the Filipinos Editors JEREMIE P. CREDO Ma. Anna Rowena Luz G. Layador 5 ASEAN Updates: January–March 2017 Rhodora M. Joaquin Valerie Anne Jill I. Valero Maritime Security Virgemarie A. Salazar Layout 10 Explaining US and China’s Views Kaye Anne P. Argete on Freedom of Navigation Darlene V. Estrada MARY FIDES A. QUINTOS Edcel John A. Ibarra 12 Lessons of Functionalism for Functional Cooperation in the South China Sea EDCEL JOHN A. IBARRA CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL 14 CIRSS Maritime Section: Events RELATIONS AND STRATEGic Philippine Relations STUDIES By mandate of the Philippine Foreign 16 Parsing Abe’s Official Visit: Service Act of 1991, or R.A. 7157, the FSI maintains a Center for International Change or Continuity in Philippines-Japan Relations and Strategic Studies (CIRSS). Relations under the Duterte Administration? CIRSS undertakes studies in support of the VALERIE ANNE JILL I. VALERO formulation, review and dissemination of Philippine foreign policy. It also organizes Looking Ahead conferences, round table discussions (RTD), lectures, and forums as channels for interaction, cooperation and integration 19 Philippine Economic Outlook of the efforts of local and foreign experts ROWELL G. CASACLANG & JOVITO JOSE P. KATIGBAK from government, private and academic sectors on foreign policy issues and their In Focus domestic implications. Area Studies Sections Traditional Security Studies Section 23 ASEAN-India Renewable Energy Non-Traditional Security Studies Section Cooperation: Opportunities and Challenges International Organizations Section ASEAN Programs Section for the Region and the Philippines Special Projects Section JEMIMAH JOANNE C. VILLARUEL The views and analyses expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily Cover photo: Modified “Fuller World Map Projection” by Eric Gaba (https://commons. reflect the positions of the Foreign Service wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sting/Gallery:_Maps_of_the_world,_of_seas_and_ Institute or the Department of Foreign Affairs. about_history#/media/File:Fuller_projection.svg) licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5. 3 ON THE HORIZON • ASEAN What the ASEAN Chairmanship Means for the Philippines and the Filipinos JEREMIE P. CREDO he Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will development, conservation of the environment, and people- T be a half-century old this 2017, with the Philippines at to-people exchanges. Thus, ASEAN under the Philippines’ the helm steering the region’s agenda. This year will be the Chairmanship will likely entail more engagements in these areas Philippines’ fourth time to be ASEAN Chair. The last ASEAN and in issues of growing concern such as trade in illegal drugs, Summit it hosted was in 2006 under the leadership of former terrorism and violent extremism, and trafficking in persons. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Political-Security Community The Philippines’ chairmanship, however, will not only be about President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has opted for a more the ASEAN Summit meetings and the festivities and fanfare to holistic approach to regional issues by putting equal importance commemorate the Association’s golden anniversary. Throughout to political, economic, and socio-cultural aspects necessary to the year, officials from all ASEAN Member States and Dialogue achieve the goals set by the ASEAN Vision 2025. Partners are crafting new agreements, declarations, and work plans, and are conducting technical studies and workshops. The Managing the South China Sea disputes and promoting the aims of these are to: 1) strengthen regional cooperation across rule of law will remain a priority for the Philippines, with the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars; and the continued push for the conclusion of a framework and the ultimately 2) to improve the lives of every ASEAN citizen under actual Code of Conduct (COC), as well as the full and effective a people-centered and people-oriented ASEAN Community. implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Discussions on maritime security For the Philippines, being the Chair provides opportunities to in ASEAN will also continue to focus on practical cooperation in showcase the country’s beautiful islands and tourist destinations, dealing with piracy and other transnational crimes that operate in its rich heritage and culture, and the Filipino people’s artistry the region’s waters. This will be vital in maintaining unimpeded and warm hospitality. It is also an occasion for the Philippines shipping and seaborne trade toward economic growth in the to boost its diplomatic profile and raise its advocacies and region. Indeed, maritime security and cooperation is only one interests. For instance, Philippine Chairmanship in 2006 gave of the six priorities of ASEAN under the Philippines’ leadership, us an opportunity to highlight the importance of an ASEAN as the country seeks to promote greater cooperation among “one caring and sharing community.” But more importantly, it is Member States in promoting peace and stability, inclusive and also an opportune time for the Philippine government to further innovation-led growth, resilience, among others. increase ASEAN awareness and understanding among Filipinos, which will be critical towards the realization of a “we” feeling or Combating narcotic drugs, given their proliferation and a common identity and in building an inclusive and caring and adverse effects to the society, has been taken up by the Duterte sharing society. administration as a priority. This problem is shared regionally, with countries such as Singapore and Indonesia calling for a Opportunities for 2017 tougher stance in addressing the issue.1 Moreover, the World As a founding member of ASEAN, the Philippines has played a Drug Report 2016 of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime role in pursuit of the Association’s goal of maintaining peace, (UNODC) has identified Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines stability, and prosperity in the region. It has participated and as transit countries for drug trade, making Southeast Asia initiated cooperative efforts in areas such as poverty eradication, vulnerable to drug trafficking.2 The issue on drugs, therefore, economic advancement, protection of the rights of migrant requires coordinated approaches at the national and regional workers and the rights of women and children, human resource levels. The chairmanship of ASEAN will be an opportunity 4 ON THE HORIZON • ASEAN BIMP-EAGA covers the entire sultanate of Brunei, provinces of Filipinos should be Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and West Papua of Indonesia; the states of Sabah and Sarawak, and Labuan in Malaysia; and the empowered to take pride and Mindanao island and Palawan province in the Philippines. The acceleration of economic development in these areas that are feel co-ownership of ASEAN geographically distant from national capitals could be a means to promote inclusivity and sustainability across all sectors of along with other peoples society. The Philippines therefore has plenty to gain once this initiative gains traction. of Southeast Asia for them Socio-cultural Community to be able to participate Apart from the political and economic issues identified, it is high time that ASEAN provides a regional regulatory or institutional in the ASEAN Community framework on the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers. The Philippines, as a country with many of building process. Only then its nationals working overseas, spearheaded the adoption of a declaration on migrant workers’ rights during its Chairmanship can the vision of a caring and of ASEAN in 2006. With the growth of intra-ASEAN migration, there have been, undeniably, challenges on irregular migration, sharing, people-oriented, recruitment abuses, and exploitation of migrants who are often without access to legal protection. The Philippines’ proactive and people-centered ASEAN stance on this issue must therefore bear fruit while it chairs the Association. Community be realized. The Filipinos and ASEAN For the past 50 years, ASEAN has brought numerous, though at times intangible and underappreciated, benefits to the peoples for the Philippines to pursue engagements at the bilateral and of Southeast Asia, including the Filipinos. For the Philippines, multilateral levels towards realizing a drug-free region. being the Chair during the golden anniversary of ASEAN is a testament to the country’s commitment to regional peace, Another area of concern that will be given focus this year stability, and prosperity. The country is not only a founding will be the threat of terrorism and violent extremism. With member, but remains an active contributor to the Association’s the unending secessionist movements in the Philippines and continuing narrative. However, as the Chair, the Philippines in southern Thailand, as well as the risk of the spread of the should also see to it that every